SIH-EBP score for prediction of efficacy of epidural blood patching in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension.

BACKGROUND

Epidural blood patching (EBP) is the primary treatment for spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), although multiple attempts may sometimes be necessary. The SIH-EBP score, with a cutoff of ≥3, predicts the response to the first EBP. However, its generalizability requires further confirmation. This study aims to validate the clinical utility of the SIH-EBP score and determine the optimal cutoff for predicting the response to the first EBP in an independent cohort of patients with SIH.

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients with SIH who received at least one EBP at a tertiary medical center. Clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records, and brain and spinal magnetic resonance images were reviewed.

RESULTS

Ninety-six patients (58 female [F]/38 male [M], mean age: 42.67 ± 10.16 years) were screened, with 49 (32 F/17 M, mean age: 41.20 ± 9.13 years) analyzed, including 30 (22 F/8 M, mean age: 41.10 ± 10.14 years) (61.2%) responders. There was a positive correlation between SIH-EBP scores and responder rates ( p = 0.001). A cutoff score of ≥3 was associated with a higher response rate than a score of <3 (80.0% vs 41.7%, p = 0.006) (sensitivity = 73.7%, specificity = 66.7%, accuracy = 69.4%). The optimal cutoff in this cohort was ≥2 (Area under curve (AUC) = 0.77, p < 0.001) (sensitivity = 52.6%, specificity = 90.0%, accuracy = 75.5%).

CONCLUSION

In this cohort, the SIH-EBP score correlated with response rates to the first EBP. Although a score of ≥3 remains a valid predictor of treatment response, a cutoff of ≥2 proved to be more accurate and specific. However, its practical use is limited by a sensitivity of 52.6%. Further studies are needed to verify its role in other populations.